The Commons - Downtown East Park
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Well, if we do intend this to be a real neighborhood with street-front restaurant and the like, having some access on the north face of those blocks for delivery trucks etc would be preferred, as well as all the *fabulous events planned by the Wilfs. That's not to say a woonerf wouldn't work.
Q. What, what? A. In da butt.
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
I was driving around here the other day and wondered if the jail would ever go away. If it did we'd have unobstructed views to city hall from the Commons -- except for the small apartment building being built on the west end.
It would be pretty needs to have a front (side) lawn of city hall stretch to the stadium. I wonder if we're going to regret those apartment buildings.
Of course I have no idea if the jail will ever go away, though St. Paul got rid of theirs so...
It would be pretty needs to have a front (side) lawn of city hall stretch to the stadium. I wonder if we're going to regret those apartment buildings.
Of course I have no idea if the jail will ever go away, though St. Paul got rid of theirs so...
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
That jail is pretty new...
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Sure, but what about 30 years from now. Will we be willing to tear down both buildings for a park?That jail is pretty new...
Just proposing a thought experiment.
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
I dunno, I guess if we're somehow able to get rid of the jail, I'm sure we can find a way to get rid of a 6 story stick apartment building, no?
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
I've brought this up many times, but nobody ever bites... the best solution for a western park wall and terminating vista would be to build housing on the eastern third of the jail block, which is supposedly just covered parking right now. That could be integrated into redevelopment. Jail stays, more housing, better park frontage. Wins all around.I was driving around here the other day and wondered if the jail would ever go away. If it did we'd have unobstructed views to city hall from the Commons -- except for the small apartment building being built on the west end.
It would be pretty needs to have a front (side) lawn of city hall stretch to the stadium. I wonder if we're going to regret those apartment buildings.
Of course I have no idea if the jail will ever go away, though St. Paul got rid of theirs so...
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Excuse my question of history here. But, what existed on the blocks that the Hennepin Government Center resides on prior to its construction?I was driving around here the other day and wondered if the jail would ever go away. If it did we'd have unobstructed views to city hall from the Commons -- except for the small apartment building being built on the west end.
It would be pretty needs to have a front (side) lawn of city hall stretch to the stadium. I wonder if we're going to regret those apartment buildings.
Of course I have no idea if the jail will ever go away, though St. Paul got rid of theirs so...
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Here they are from above in 1938 (you can see City Hall in the upper right, south is bottom).Excuse my question of history here. But, what existed on the blocks that the Hennepin Government Center resides on prior to its construction?
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Wow, quite a few cars and surface parking lots, even in 1938...
Sort of further off-topic, but also on-topic with regards to street operations/closures: Were all/most of the streets in that 1938 photo two-way streets?
Sort of further off-topic, but also on-topic with regards to street operations/closures: Were all/most of the streets in that 1938 photo two-way streets?
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
That seems like a pretty bad place to build housing -- in case any inmates find a way to escape. I know my family would be hesitant to come visit me right next to a jail.I've brought this up many times, but nobody ever bites... the best solution for a western park wall and terminating vista would be to build housing on the eastern third of the jail block, which is supposedly just covered parking right now. That could be integrated into redevelopment. Jail stays, more housing, better park frontage. Wins all around.I was driving around here the other day and wondered if the jail would ever go away. If it did we'd have unobstructed views to city hall from the Commons -- except for the small apartment building being built on the west end.
It would be pretty needs to have a front (side) lawn of city hall stretch to the stadium. I wonder if we're going to regret those apartment buildings.
Of course I have no idea if the jail will ever go away, though St. Paul got rid of theirs so...
Otherwise I like your idea, but maybe it can be tweaked a little...
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- Wells Fargo Center
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Fun read. I hope it gains some traction. There has to be a better alternative!Okay, hear me out.
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
arent there 2 seperate jails and then a lockdown ward at hcmc all in the vicinity ?
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
The Juvenile Detention Center (jail/prison) is the south face of the park between Portland and Park, and the Public Safety Facility (adult jail) is the northwestern face across 5th as well as the southern upper floors of the City Hall Courthouse overlooking the Government Center north plaza.
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Is there a thread for the Wells Fargo buildings that I'm missing? Quick search didn't turn it up.
EDIT: nvm, thanks Peter
EDIT: nvm, thanks Peter
Last edited by IllogicalJake on March 5th, 2015, 9:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
i talk too much. web dev, downtown. admin @ tower.ly
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Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
Looks like it's already fallen onto the second page: https://forum.streets.mn/viewtopic.php?f=13& ... start=2220
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
This should probably go in anything goes... but I'm going to put it here because I think it's moderately relevant. And talk about good conversation about modern architecture and the urban context... and what makes a good public space. clearly there won't be this kind of money spent here for quite some time. but what a cool way to possibly connect the blocks or create a sense of space. Feel free to move if need be.
https://vimeo.com/121485557
https://vimeo.com/121485557
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
So, if the MLS does indeed go to the good doctor's Farmer's Market Stadium site, that should free up a bunch of the prime summer days that the Vikings potentially had the Commons on lockdown, right? This could actually be a game-changer in terms of the financial and functional viability of the park.
Re: The Commons - Downtown East Park
But is the elimination of a few hundred thousand potential park customers an entirely positive development? MLS fans will want places to gather on game days. The Commons, and the retail establishments within and around it, would’ve served them well.
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